The shorts factory is closed

Thank God. Although I think I benefited from the zipper practice five times in a row. At least with shorts things go together quickly, if you’re not the occasional idiot, like me. Take the plaid pair, for instance. (DD1 had been eyeing the plaid fabrics at Fabricland all spring, and since they were on sale last week, I caved for this pair. It’s actually a pretty plaid with silver metallic threads running through the design.) I’ve already made them twice, so that means I know what I’m doing, right? HA!! The first pair were lovely and true to design. The second pair I actually managed to put together in a mirror version (zipper on the right side instead of the left), and this plaid pair actually required a hook & eye closure because I didn’t follow the directions, but went merrily (arrogantly?) along my way. I added the waistband after putting in the side zip instead of before putting in the zip. This is a chronic complaint in my life, and even spreads to flapper pie, which I’ve made countless times… all for the same dear friend…. and all of them different, yet from the same set of directions. Inconsistency is a annoying character trait.

However, the other two pairs at centre and right are Burda 3-2011-131, which I was able to put together bee-yew-tifully, in the right order of construction, and I might add, they are identical. So I can be consistent if I put my mind to it (or take enough breaks from the sewing table). DD1 wasn’t sure about the fabric, but I convinced her they would be a wardrobe staple in a serviceable fabric in the khaki family of colours. She reluctantly agreed to the darker pair and has already seen the use of them over the weekend.

Pattern: Burda 3-2011-131 in sizes 36-44. I made up view A only.

Did it look like the photo/drawing on the pattern envelope once you were done sewing with it? Yes – except for the pockets.

Were the instructions easy to follow? Well, yes. This was the “extra sewing course” in Burda’s June issue, so I could be my lazy self and just glance at the drawings as I went a long instead of actually having to read instructions. The shorts include a fly zipper with an underlap. The fly facing is a separate piece that is sewn on instead of being cut as an extension to the front piece. Burda’s instructions for this were really good, I thought. Maybe it helped that they included the line drawings for their sewing course, but their techniques worked really well. The results look good from the inside as well as the outside.

What did you particularly like or dislike about the pattern? DD1 chose the pattern for these again, and preferred the shorter version to the Bermuda length. She liked the classic look of these shorts, and I liked the simplicity of putting them together.

Fabric Used: Both pairs are from a stretch cotton denim.

Pattern alterations or any design changes you made: I did not include the inseam pockets for this design. I did use a contrasting gingham (lighter pair) and a yellow/white striped poplin (darker pair) for the waistband lining and the zipper underlap. On the darker pair I used a clamp-on hook & eye set instead of the recommended button.

I was a little leery of just how much give is in this fabric, having made up a skirt for myself that was true to size, but grew a full size over the course of wearing it for a day. So I cut the first (darker) pair a size 36 without seam allowances. They are a little small, and the inseam pockets gaped, so I eliminated the pockets in both versions. However, they are super comfy, according to DD1 because the fabric is so soft and gives so much.

The 2nd pair I made up with seam allowances, and she is happy with the fit. I personally think they fit much better than the first, and I probably could have included the inseam pockets, but I didn’t, and she doesn’t care. Oh. And I added belt-loops at her request.

Conclusion: I’m liking these shorts, especially with the classic line that they have. The Bermuda length that Burda pictures in their magazine is of a lightweight wool gabardine, and it looks quite dressy. Considering how simply these went together, I’m tempted to make myself a dressy pair. Yeah, right. I own one pair of shorts, and I haven’t worn them since 2006.

All the shorts turned out so well! It’s a little boring to do practical batch sewing, but your results are fab. I haven’t worn shorts in a very long time. The older I get, the hotter I feel it needs to be to justify wearing them, lol.